Croatian Studies Review 10 (2014) Rebeka Mesarić Žabčić: “The Phenomenon of Overseas Chain Migration to Australia” Rebeka Mesarić Žabčić Institute for Migrations and Ethnic Studies Zagreb, Croatia [email protected] Abstract: The paper consists of two conceptually related parts that combine historical and contemporary components. The first part aims to show how the elements (language, culture, customs) specific to the region (the island of Koručula, Dalmatia) were transferred by migrants in Australia from one social environment to another, and how these elements are lived, survived and modified influenced by elements of the new social environment. The second part discusses the role and importance of the traditional (local / regional) culture in shaping the identity of the descendants of Croatian migrants from Korčula in a contemporary Australian context. Keywords: chain migration, Croatian migrants, local and regional identity, overseas migration, Australian multiculturalism, diaspora 133 Croatian Studies Review 10 (2014) Introduction Migration is generally not a new phenomenon and an individual or group of people can constantly move from one state to another and back. They can also be permanently settled in a new country. A general framework for all types of migration encompasses any change of residence of the individual or the larger and smaller groups of people, and one of the major subtypes of migration is chain migration. The chain migration usually starts with a family member who initially only sends money to other family members to assist their migration to the new location in the new environment. At the same time, a group of people from the same location migrate to the new area which has already been settled by their relatives and fellow community members. In this manner, the chain migration process is initiated by a small number of pioneers who take the first step in establishing the community in the new location. Following the initial settlement, positive information is sent through various forms of media to other community members from the area of origin which consequently stimulates further migration. The study of chain migration is a particularly important aspect of studying migration due to the complexity of the phases that occur and are related to the period of migration. These phases are influenced by technology, the legislative systems of individual countries and accepted and not accepted norms, laws, etc. In order to analyse chain migration and the preservation of local and regional identity, it is important to identify and analyse the processes and influencing factors at work during the periods of migration for the particular community. This paper will discuss and analyse the framework of Croatian migration to Australia to establish a basis for understanding its size and direction. The chain migration of migrants from the island of Korčula, specifically from the municipality of Blato to Sydney is analysed in the context of its impact on the preservation of local and regional identity. The article aims at demonstrating how the elements (language, culture, customs), specific to the region and the local environment (Dalmatian islands, Dalmatia) of the country of origin were transferred from one social environment to another, and how these elements are lived, survived and have been modified in the community influenced by elements of the new social environment. The second part discusses the role and importance of traditions (local/regional) in shaping the identity of the descendants of migrants in a contemporary context. 134 Croatian Studies Review 10 (2014) A note about methodology The methodology utilized in this article is based on an analysis of relevant Croatian and English-language sources, the analysis of a few selected experiences of Croatian migrants, that is, the life stories of young and elderly migrants whose origin is linked to Blato on the island of Korčula, and available data from the Internet (websites and social networks). The methods used include: field research interviews, and the life story method of ‘oral history’. The discussion also includes three sets of issues: migration, life in Australia, and links with the migrants’ homeland. Interviews were mostly conducted in the Croatian language, although it is worth mentioning that the conversations that occurred were not conducted in the standard form of the Croatian language but rather in the language of the local community or parental region of origin including some words from the English language, which these individuals could not translate into Croatian or could not remember at that moment. The hypothesis is that chain migration and international migration processes can be a valuable contribution to a better understanding of contemporary migration flows. An analysis of chain migration also provides partial insight into the processes of establishing kinship and social networks in places where migrants live, adjusting to the new environment and forging connections through preserving local and regional characteristics as a way of life. An analysis of chain migration through life experience and the perspective of the individual enriches our knowledge and contributes to a broader understanding of the phenomenon of chain migration that opens many new questions and provides impetus for further research on this type of migration. Brief overview of ‘push and pull’ factors of migration The question of why people migrate is one that for years scientists from different disciplines with different areas of focus have offered a variety of different answers to. In general, we can identify several types of ‘push and pull’ factors that can influence and affect the migration of people (sometimes simultaneously), including: a) the environment (e.g. climate, natural disasters), b) policies (e.g. war) c) the economy (e.g. work) 135 Croatian Studies Review 10 (2014) d) culture (e.g. religious freedom, education). Considering that ‘push or pull’ factors are more important in certain migratory periods, the conclusion is that the migration process is very complex and that from its beginning until its end is influenced by a number of factors. It is very difficult to clearly separate the complicated mix of objective and subjective factors pushing the decisions of migrants. A very simple definition of ‘push and pull’ factors is provided by S. Lee.1 Lee’s ‘push’ factors are linked to the country or place of migration (wars, insecurity, poverty, unemployment, etc.) and ‘pull’ factors for the country or place of immigration (stability, good economic boom, migration policy etc.). The migratory system in general and the role of the state determine the size, direction, composition, and, finally, the duration of migratory flows. If we observe the migratory system, personal decisions are of lesser importance in comparison to structural possibilities due to the fact that countries are mutually linked with regard to migratory flows. In order to straightforwardly understand the migratory system, three key factors linked to the globalization of the world economy contribute, as Saskia Sassen argues, to the growth of international migrations as a global process: 1) the unequal level of development between the countries of origin of migrants and the countries of their destination; 2) the increasing internationalisation of all developed economies; and 3) the main changes in the organisation of economies and labour markets in advanced economies, which have created multiple possibilities for the incorporation of migrants.2 Examples of Chain Migration to Australia in theory, research and practice At the heart of this paper is the overseas chain migration of Croats, in other words, the exodus of people from the same areas (places, regions) and their collective immigration and settlement in another area. Thus, the research focuses only on the larger group of chain migration from the Croatian region of Dalmatia and its local communities of Korčula and Blato and their bulk migration to another area, in Sydney. After a certain time migrant pioneers allow the migration of families, relatives, friends, acquaintances, 1 Lee (1966): 11-28. 2 Sassen (2001): 2. 136 Croatian Studies Review 10 (2014) and fellow countrymen.3 The behavior of this type of migrant is, after a certain period of time affected by a range of circumstances in which they find themselves. Eventually, migrants realize that it is more economically beneficial to relocate the whole family, as it is difficult to regularly visit due to the large distance from the mother country, financial demands and the lack of free time, holidays, etc., but also travel expenses. Practical examples show that the greater the distance of migration from the birthplace of the migrants, the easier it is to decide on bringing the whole family to the new location. The second reason is because of the good news and rumors from the new home location provided by relatives, distant relatives, friends, acquaintances and countrymen who have already affirmed their bearings in their new country and have settled in order to ease or improve their position of the social ladder. New migrants are opting for the same environment, that is, an area where there are already well-known ‘pioneer’ migrants, primarily due to the positive news about the new country given to them by their loved ones. As a result they believe, and it is psychologically simpler for them to do so, that it is easier to start a new life in a new environment in the same area where they already